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Sunbeam helpppp!

F

Fido

New member
Hi! I'm Stacie, I'm new. =)

I just picked up a Sunbeam off CL. I saw them at the reptile show a few weeks ago and fell in love, so I had to pick this girl (i think) up. I haven't had snakes before, although I have kept them as I work at a pet store. I have had a bearded dragon for several years, as well as a Sulcata.

I understand they stress easily and come with lots of problems as they're usually always WC. I intend to get her to a vet to get checked over in a few weeks after she's settled in to her enclosure.

At the moment, I'm just extremely worried about getting her setup as excellent as it can be. I've heard lots and lots and lots about sunbeams only making it a few months and I want her to be happy and healthy!

Right now she is in a 10G tank with a screen lid. I will probably board up part of the lid. I have 3 sides covered so she will feel more secure. Her previous owner was using peat moss so she's currently in about 7 inches of that. I was going to use ecoearth, but I'm not sure what is best. I have read a vermiculite/peat moss blend is best, I have heard ecoearth is best...everyone has a different opinion. I also have a mister as well. I'm using a UTH in addition to a 75 watt red bulb. I have a 20L tank as well but she's pretty small so I thought a larger cage might stress her more. I have a sheet of plexiglass over part of the substrate, and a shallow bowl under the lamp.

She is eating F/T and freshly killed live no problems according to the person I bought her from. I picked her up when transferring her and while of course she tried to get away and burrow she didn't musk. She's a very pretty girl. =)


What am I doing wrong? What can I do better? Should I leave the lamp and the UTH on all the time? I was going to leave the lamp off at night. I just set her up today so I'm still not sure what temps will settle down to be.

Any and ALL pointers are appreciated. I really want her to be happy and healthy. =)
 
I set up Sunbeams in 32qt tubs (adults of course). with 3+ inches of damp cypress mulch and a water bowl. I keep them in racks with heat tape (belly) set at 85, and I feed them live or fresh killed fuzzy mice or rat pinks. They seem to prefer multiple smaller food items instead of one large food item.

I would get rid of the lamp and use something more confining. They seem to really like the humidity a tub provides.

Hope this helps,
Dave
 
I've read pretty much everything I could find, so I've seen the article on Kingsnakes a few times. It is very helpful, thank you Buzzard. =)

Carinata, I would like to use something other than a tank. I'm just not sure where I would put a tub as I don't have a rack system and I'm so afraid my dog would get into a tub if I just left it on the table or something. I also don't have any experience with the flexwatt tape (which I assume is what you're using or something similar?) Would you mind sharing some more details on how exactly you do it? You use a thermostat I assume?

I will pay attention to the smaller food items bit! I have heard that they don't have as flexible jaws as other snakes. Her previous owner said she was on hoppers, I may offer her several fuzzies or pinkies next week when she is settled and she how she does on those. She is very small right now still.
 
Flex Watt tape is what heats most professional rack systems. You can use a UTH with a thermostat just the same. I use Helix thermostats.
 
There is a gal over at Iherp that has at least one sunbeam snake. Those snakes are without a doubt amazing creatures!! The irridencence is awesome.
 
Just an update, Ariadne ate for the first time today! I thawed out two fuzzies for her and set them in a dish in her cage. They were gone within an hour although I didn't get to see the show.
She seems very active, th
 
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